The Ancient Prophecy

Epilogue : Peace

"Be for certain , finder," Charis spoke , her arms crossed and brow furrowed "What is really your deal ?"
"What do you mean by that ?" the once general of the Finders asked , scowling in confusion .
Both the daughter of Apollo and the son of Hyperion stood in the depths of a dark corridor of the Resistence's base . Charis took the opportunity of Phedora being occupied with the horde of thankful people even after the feast on Mt. Olympus to drag Alkaios into a secluded place to demand explanations .
"What is your deal with Phedora ?" Charis asked , voice harsh , filled with hatred "And what deal does she have with you ?"
"That is none of your concern ."
Charis' fists clenched at her sides , controlling the urge to strangle him . He is a trained general , I have no chance of succeeding . Charis steadied her breathing slowly . And besides , I am sick of fighting .
"Listen , what concerns me is whenever you will try to hurt Phedora or not," she stated .
Alkaios' eyes widened , seemingly outraged "Why would I do that ?" he snapped , voice just below a scream .
The daughter of Apollo frowned "Why would you ? Because you are a finder !" she hissed the last word as if it was poison on her tongue .
"Can you even call me that after the union of our factions ?"
"I could not care less of that ! You are all still the same coldblooded killers who tormented us all those years !"
The son of Hyperion sagged slightly against the wall of the corridor "We can not bring all the lost back from the Underworld . But nor can you bring back all the finders lost in your attacks on our base," he pushed back from the wall and took some steps closer , coming in to stand right in front of Charis , towering over her "I suppose we are even ."
Even despite their difference in height , Charis felt as if she was looking eye-to-eye with the demititan "Your loses were but an obstacle in the way of our purpose !" she clenched her teeth as she spoke .
"I rallied myself the army to join the fight against Typhon ! You think I still stand by the ideas the Finders were founded on ?" Charis noticed the way a vein pulsed in his neck "I was a traitor to my faction because of my connection to Phedora . I killed a general to keep it a secret from the other finders ."
Charis' frown slowly dissipated , registering his words with a look of pure shock . She watched as Alkaios' body slowly started to relax , his previous rage as if it never existed .
"I assisted Phedora in her venture through the Prison , and so did my sister , co-general Iro ." his tone dropped , gaze slidding onto the floor "Iro did not make it out though ."
The daughter of Apollo almost immediately noticed the grief in his eyes . So is this the reason he looked so hauted back then ?
Slowly , Charis started to relax , though still remaining cautious and standing her ground .
Then Alkaios' head tilted back up again . He gazed right into Charis' eyes , his look now blank .
"I understand why you could not trust me..." he started then trailed off . Then his eyes seemed to lit up , as if he remembered something"I suppose you are the friend who helped Phedora at Hecate's temple ?" he asked .
Charis rose her brows in surprise . He still remembers that ? "Yes , what about it ?"
"If you are a friend of Phedora's then I will put both our histories behind for the sake of getting along with you . For the sake of Phedora ." Alkaios quickly spoke and held out his hand .
The daughter of Apollo found herself actually considering his words . If Phedora let him to join her final and most important mission then she must be trusting him .
"Fine," she stretched her hand to take his , shaking it . Then she squeezed his hand hard enough to hurt "But if you go against your word and do anything to hurt Phedora," she threatened "I will not hesitate to put the sharpest arrow I have through you ."
"I am a man of my word . And besides," Alkaios gave her a small smile "I would never forgive myself if I did hurt her ."
The son of Hyperion slipped his hand away from Charis' grip . He turned on his heel and began to stroll away .
"What sort of relationship do you even have with Phedora ?" Charis asked him as he walked away .
"That is of Phedora to tell you ." he spoke as he stepped out of the dark corridor .